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Villa, Mata back Del Bosque

David Villa and Juan Mata have supported Vicente Del Bosque after Jose Mourinho accused the Spain coach of winning a rigged award.

Real Madrid coach Mourinho slammed Del Bosque after the 62-year-old took out FIFA's Coach of the Year award, the Portuguese claiming the votes had been tampered with.

Mourinho - who finished runner up in the award voting - said he does not regret choosing not to attend the ceremony, while international players Villa and Mata have come out in support of their FIFA World Cup and European Championship-winning manager.

Barcelona striker Villa said he was confident Del Bosque was a worthy recipient of the FIFA award.

"I think Vicente is the best manager out there," Villa said.

"He's a very relaxed person and I think he is the best there is. He's fully aware, as we all are, of the success he has had.

"He's one of the most celebrated managers in the history of football, because of the kind of person he is and the manager he is, so he will rise above all this."

Chelsea midfielder Mata refused to respond to Mourinho's comments, but diplomatically described both Del Bosque and the Portuguese as world-class coaches.